VRIC Men’s Retreat Reflections by Yaser Birjas https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat Your Takeaways, Reflection, best moments, most memorable ones and more en-us 2022-10-23 14:57:45 UTC 2022-10-29 14:37:51 UTC hello@padlet.com Assalamualikum brothers. https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352407590 Please post all your reflections from the retreat here in Shaa Allah. ]]> 2022-10-23 16:22:19 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352407590 Jazakum Allah Khayr y’all VRIC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352413862 I just wanted to say thank you and Jazakum Allah Khayr to all of you for an amazing weekend. It was such pleasure seeing y’all and spending time with you. I’m definitely looking forward to future retreats with you. Stay safe. 
Yaser Birjas]]> 2022-10-23 16:30:16 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352413862 Lead family by Example https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352436757 To be a leader and man,   we have to strive and committ for continuous self development, spiritual, emotional and physical.

Shabbab Haider
]]> 2022-10-23 16:58:54 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352436757 Assalamualaikum. Brothers. I had wonderful time with all of you brothers. Great activities, relaxed, bonding time, learn a lot. https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352446877 Special thanks to Mohammad Hossain (Moin), Wasif and Waid and all others who make this event happen. 
May Allah preserve Sheik Yasir Birjas and Brother Tammam for the beautiful advices. 
ameen.  ]]> 2022-10-23 17:11:37 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352446877 Invest in yourself https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352454107 It’s really important to keep
Improving ourselves in a structured manner, with goals and planning. Get a coach, social support, informal or formal halaqah w brothers, therapist. Be confident and able to lead your family better. ]]> 2022-10-23 17:20:34 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352454107 True brotherhood https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352469279 Jazakum Allah Khaira for organizing this event. Me and my two sons were very pleased to see you all joining hand in hand and enjoyed all activities. I didn’t know anyone in this event since I am new to Dallas. This is to me true brotherhood. ]]> 2022-10-23 17:38:33 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2352469279 Memorable moments https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2353566969 Asalaamu’Alaykum my dear brothers. I had an amazing time with you all. May Allah bless you all and make us true righteous men, Ameen! Jazakallahu’khayran to the brothers who organized this wonderful event and for your time. ❤️]]> 2022-10-24 13:16:28 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2353566969 https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2353999331 It'd be really nice if we all shared one big takeaway from the retreat + one thing we're going to start doing in our lives post-retreat as a result of the experience to hold each other accountable and strive for self-improvement. I'll start:

1. One big takeaway for me was how similar we are as brothers. We have the same major personal and societal concerns generally speaking, and the Sat night fireside chat made that clear, but we're just not talking as often and as openly as we can be. The more trust we build and more vulnerable we are, the stronger our bonds. 💪🏻

2. One thing I'm going to implement in my life is rock climbing more often, even 1x/month or two. I realize it's not one of my strengths, but I see the benefit in building up those muscles. My goal is next year to climb all the way to the top, bi 'idhni allah.]]> 2022-10-24 17:01:29 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2353999331 https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354023637 As Salaaumu Alaikum my good men! JazakAllahu Khair to everyone who came together to make this such an awesome and blessed gathering of brothers! And of course a special shout out to all those who organized the whole event! 
I went from virtually knowing no one in the community to having a whole group of brothers in a matter of a couple days. May Allah keep our bond strong in this life and gather us all together in Jannat al-Firdous as well!

One take away I had this weekend was to live life, every single day with intention. To take action and communicate with intention. It’s so easy to go on auto pilot or just go into survival mode especially when you have kids and it’s not fair to yourself or your family, friends or anyone you come into contact with to not get your full attention and mindfulness.

My action item would be to get back into the gym and lift weights to get that testosterone flowing and the manliness off the charts lol]]> 2022-10-24 17:15:22 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354023637 This is why I moved to Dallas https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354561964 After I moved to Dallas Valley Ranch area, I felt so isolated and lonely. I don't have any family members here. My parents are in another state. I'm just here with my wife. I don't have any friends. I was about to give up hope and move to another state because I was so sad.

Because of this event, I feel less lonely and sad. I feel I am connected to something big. Thank you for rekindling my hope. I'm feeling closer to Allah and my faith has been renewed. ]]> 2022-10-25 01:07:16 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354561964 The Value of Connections https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354662101 A key take-away for me was a reminder about the power of connections. This is an idea that is broadly discussed in mainstream spaces but to be reminded about the perspective of Islam on connecting with brothers, through praying in Jama'a and building upon that by learning together, struggling together whether at Hajj or adventure camps such as this one makes and the cumulative effect on our development as men, as leaders at home and in our communities and having high aspirations for purposeful and impactful living made this a truly special experience. 

One thing that I do need to be more intentional about is spending more quality time with brothers outside of formal learning or halaqaat to continue to experience that other side that builds bonds and stronger connections bi idhni'llah]]> 2022-10-25 02:21:12 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354662101 https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354717207 I am a lecture junkie and I still learned sooooooo much this wknd, both from the shuyookh as well as from all of you brothers.

The biggest thing that impacted me actually brought a huge sense of peace to me.  The first night sheikh Yasser told the story of when Allah sent Adam (A) and his wife to Earth. Allah said to both of them "This is your punishment." But He turned to Adam (A) and said "You will suffer."
I have been struggling with a lot recently, both internally and externally. Knowing that Allah has ordained for us men to suffer in order to lead our families brought me so much peace because whatever Allah has written for us we are happy with.  It is always the best for us, even if we don't see the hikmah in it.

As far as action items, I don't usually do action items, but I have committed myself to one thing. I already love getting to know the brothers and spending time with them. Now I want to spend more of my down time with them. I see that it breaks you out of that rut of dealing with work and family issues. I see that it provides new perspectives and is quite therapeutic as sheikh Tammam said.

I look forward to spending more time with each and every one of you.

Tanweer]]> 2022-10-25 03:04:50 UTC https://padlet.com/VRIC/MensRetreat/wish/2354717207